Notice: This meeting of the Lake Bluff Library Board of Trustees was held with a quorum of Trustees physically present. The meeting was simulcast for any members of the public who did not wish to attend the meeting in-person at the Lake Bluff Public Library building. Guidelines and access codes were published before the meeting so members of the public could log in. The meeting was recorded, with the recording made available through the Library’s website. As required by law, at least one representative from the Library was present at the Library while participating in the meeting.

  1. Call to Order: Board President Bonnie Shaul called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
  2. Roll Call: Trustees Graziano, Friedeman, Jardine, Hayes, Zaute and Shaul were present. Library Director Natalie Starosta and staff members Eliza Jarvi and Anthony Garriga were also present, Jillian Chapman and Molly Coyle attended remotely.
  3. Additions & Corrections to the Agenda: There were none.
  4. Opportunity for Public to Address the Board: There was none.
  5. Approval of Library Board Meeting Minutes:
    1. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the February 18th, 2025 Regular Board Meeting minutes with a corrected date, Trustee Friedeman seconded; Trustees Friedeman, Jerch, Hayes, Graziano and Jardine voted aye; Trustee Zaute and Shaul abstained.
    2. Trustee Shaul moved to approve the November 7th, 2024 Special Board Meeting minutes, Trustee Jardine seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Hayes, Graziano and Jardine voted aye; Trustees Friedeman & Zaute abstained.
    3. Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the January 8th, 2025 Special Board Meeting minutes, Trustee Graziano seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Zaute, Friedeman, Graziano and Jardine voted aye; Trustee Hayes abstained.
    4. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the January 10th, 2025 Special Board Meeting minutes, Trustee Graziano seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Friedeman, Graziano and Jardine voted aye; Trustees Hayes & Zaute abstained.
    5. Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the February 1st, 2025 Special Board Meeting minutes with amended location, Trustee Jerch seconded; Trustees Jerch, Graziano, Friedeman and Jardine voted aye; Trustees Zaute, Hayes & Shaul abstained.
  6. Library Director Updates: Library Director Natalie Starosta provided an overview of February and March 2025 happenings at the library and monthly usage statistics, including programming, hiring and issues with materials fulfillment through Baker & Taylor Entertainment. Library Director Starosta provided an update on a three-year technology grant through Lake County for which the Library submitted $60,000 in technology requests.
  7. February 2025 Financial Reports
    1. Trustee Hayes moved to approve the February 2025 Detailed Revenue & Expenditure Reports, Trustee Zaute seconded; all voted aye.
    2. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the February 2025 Monthly Check Disbursement Report with checks numbered 16430-16462, Trustee Hayes seconded; all voted aye.
  8. Committee Reports: There were no committee meetings since the last Board meeting. The Board discussed a possible Committee of the Whole structure moving forward.
    (Did Not Meet)
    1. Human Resources Committee (CHAIR: Graziano MEMBERS: Jerch)
    2. Finance and Technology Committee (CHAIR: Hayes MEMBERS: Shaul, Zaute)
    3. Building and Grounds Committee (CHAIR: Jerch MEMBERS: Jardine, Shaul)
    4. Bylaws & Policy Committee (CHAIR: Friedeman Members: Zaute)
    5. Engagement Committee (CHAIR: Jardine MEMBERS: Graziano)
    6. Intergovernmental Committee (MEMBERS: Jerch)
    7. Long Range Planning Committee (CHAIR: Shaul MEMBERS: Friedeman)
  9. Additional Reports
  10. New Business
    1. Trustee Appointment Process: The Board discussed a trustee appointment process. Library Director Starosta recommended that an appointment position be advertised beginning the day after the consolidated election, with a goal to have applications submitted by April 15th and interviews completed with a selection made at the May Board meeting. Trustee Friedeman will draft a one-pager application draft using the VOTE Lake Bluff format and share with Director Starosta.
    2. New Trustee Onboarding: Library Director Starosta provided draft Board Member Orientation checklists and a Trustee Handbook. Trustee Jardine requested that there be an informal mentor structure for new trustees.
    3. Appoint Director Starosta Mission Square plan coordinator and primary contact: Trustee Jerch moved to appoint Natalie Starosta as the Mission Square Plan Coordinator and primacy contact for Lake Bluff Public Library, Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    4. Pilot hours: The Board discussed the pilot hours that are due to expire at the end of March. Trustee Jerch moved to continue the current pilot hours through Labor Day 2025 with the Board’s commitment to develop sustainable pathways for extended hours by July 2025, Trustee Jardine; all voted aye.
  11. Library Correspondence: Library Director Natalie Starosta provided an overview of Library correspondence, including a news article, Lake Forest Dialog and comment cards.
  12. Executive Session(s) if needed: There was none.
  13. Any and all other business which may properly come before the Board: There was none.
  14. Adjournment: Trustee Shaul moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 pm, Trustee Jerch seconded; all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Alexandra Friedeman

Secretary